<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF POPULAR, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                  1,000
<CASH>                                         463,151
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           9,013
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               802,803
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               222,303
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  5,239,005
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         408,993
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           409,798
<LOANS>                                     11,376,607
<ALLOWANCE>                                    211,651
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              19,300,507
<DEPOSITS>                                  11,749,586
<SHORT-TERM>                                 4,010,764
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            356,568
<LONG-TERM>                                  1,678,696
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    100,000
<COMMON>                                       412,029
<OTHER-SE>                                     991,063
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              19,300,507
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              1,080,408
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              358,736
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                52,159
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,491,303
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             366,528
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             707,348
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          783,955
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  110,607
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               2,268
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                636,920
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                284,026
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     209,565
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   209,565
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.84
<LOANS-NON>                                    194,442
<LOANS-PAST>                                    21,784
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     6
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                113,251
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               185,574
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  147,590
<RECOVERIES>                                    49,823
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              211,651
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           210,991
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                660
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0